August 6, 2009

cars

August 7, 2009

explain

August 8, 2009

music man

With an impending film project I usually try to do some research to fill in the considerable gaps in my cinema education. Netflix provides the ideal conduit, and I go in fits and spurts of filling my queue. Often I forget what is on there, so it can be a surprise when the mail comes. Tonight was "The Music Man." I'm not sure that I can sell the sponsors on the next project ("Taliban - the Musical"?!?), but it doesn't really matter. I'd forgotten how amazing this film is. Aside from great performances, the whole gestalt is just "right." And the choreography in the library scene is as good as has ever been put to screen.

August 9, 2009

renovation

Evidently some landlords have a rather broad definition of "renovation." Here's a suggestion - a coat of paint is not renovation in my book. Maybe you might think about replacing the permanently stained and curling linoleum in the bathroom, or maybe changing out the cracked and permanently stained sink, or maybe swapping out the power outlets to three prong (hello, grounding!).

August 10, 2009

comeback kid redux

Softball again? How old is too old? I think the question is how much can the competitive spirit be dialed back and how "soft" can one play. OK, those are two questions. I'm sure there is a third or fourth as well.

August 12, 2009

broohaha

I guess one isn't supposed to exercise their constitutional rights. While open carry and a "suggestive" sign perhaps isn't the smartest move, I'll defer to the original full quote and try to get beyond video sound bytes and hyperbole.

"God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty.

And what country can preserve its liberties, if it's rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."

August 14, 2009

broken

As they say (whoever they are), "accidents happen." 8 hours in the medical industrial complex (6 of those parked in a hallway) surrounded by a lot of sadness. My feet hurt, but not as much as they boy's arm does.

August 20, 2009

the joker

August 21, 2009

west on sunset

Actually it was heading east to the surreal environs that is (are?) Universal City Walk. Six years ago I walked the same steps from the parking structure to Universal Amphitheater. Sorry, but as a Strat guy I just can't use the "G" word in the venue title. The 2003 Steely Dan show (3 Oct I think?) was the best concert I'd seen, driven to tears during "Time Out of Mind". That was Carlock's first tour with SD, and I was awestruck by his drumming. So fast forward to 2009 and the "Aja" stop on the tour. The band played the entire Aja album in order, followed by a smattering of tunes from the 70's. I was driven to tears again, same song, same place, different time. The crowd was incredibly good for LA - enthusiastic but respectful (ie no talking, limited dancing/singing until the end of the show). The band was on fire, and Fagan in particular seemed happy and totally into what he was doing.

Sorry, no pics. I could have broken out the phone, but frankly I was there to see the music. And what a sight it was...

Drive west on Sunset
To the sea
Turn that jungle music down
Just until we're out of town
This is no one night stand
It's a real occasion
Close your eyes and you'll be there
It's everything they say
The end of a perfect day
Distant lights from across the bay

August 22, 2009

box, pack, repeat

August 23, 2009

toss, don't burn

I don't read books. Well, that isn't totally correct. I read "Proficient Motorcycling" in the last year. And of course some product manuals. But in general, I'm not a "paper reader." I do however have a number of book cases filled with books from various stages of my life. And of course the ultimate irony is that I wrote/published a book earlier this year. But I'm allowed some internal inconsistency. With an impending move however, a subset of the books will make the cut as I'm paring down. Tonight, one bookcase down with two boxes saved and one overflowing box tossed. Will I miss them? The part of me that likes appearance will. The part that values content, not so much.

August 24, 2009

a dark and stormy night

It is interesting to see a band multiple times, and perhaps better still, multiple times within a few days (ie during the same tour). I saw Steely Dan twice in 2003 (down in San Diego and the sublime, perhaps greatest show I've ever seen at Universal in LA). This year it was "Aja" night on Friday, and tonight "Royal Scam" night. With Larry Carlton sitting in on guitar. Expectations run high, and that always is problematic. The thing is, the songs are so good and the musicianship so high, that even some "off" tunes are at a ridiculously high level. And just the fact that you are hearing the song live is special enough. In this case, stunning arrangements of Green Earrings, The Fez, and Sign In Stranger. The other tracks I've heard many times live, and are no less special. But these three more obscure numbers etched a deep track across my mind. Them along with the other from Royal Scam reminded me of how dark and sour life can be, and how eloquently music can explain and salve.

I never knew you
You were a roller skater
You gonna show me later
Turn up the Eagles the neighbors are listening

August 25, 2009

i heard the neighbors screaming

Soon I hope to not hear the neighbors clomping around above my head. But last night provided a brief flashback to the Maestro X and Mr. Depression days. Those lyrics, inspired by "Third World Man," tell a twisted tale of life in the garage and the sickly-sweet smell of ethereal inspirations. Flash forward 26 years, and Fagan sings the original tale with counterpoint by Carlton and the rest of the band. What a night indeed...

Johnny's playroom
Is a bunker filled with sand
He's become a third world man
Smoky Sunday
He's been mobilized since dawn
Now he's crouching on the lawn
He's a third world man

outside my door

August 28, 2009

weak-end

August 29, 2009

head banging

Well, at least I got a good hour-plus in the water and conditions kept improving. But when you start to get tired, you make mistakes. Nothing major, but after dropping into a nice barrel I got sucked up a little high and sent into the washing machine (typical) however the ocean wasn't quite done and did one more turn but the water was a little shallow. Never lead with your head. Just a scuff, a headache, and a slightly jammed neck. Well, so much for the motorcycle ride later...